Gibraltar’s decision to release Iranian tanker could lead up to Tehran allowing a UK tanker to leave

Issued on: 15/08/2019 - 21:02Modified: 15/08/2019 - 21:08

Gibraltar on Thursday allowed an Iranian supertanker at the centre of a standoff with Tehran to leave, ignoring US requests to keep it detained. Iran's foreign minister accused the US of attempted piracy in trying to prevent the tanker's release. Gibraltar decided on Thursday to free the Grace 1, seized by British Royal navy commandos in pitch darkness off the British overseas territory six weeks ago. But it said the US Department of Justice had applied to detain—the tanker, held on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in—breach of European Union sanctions.